Reinventing the Millennium

Whether it was him, Fang Zhuo or the school, the news of Hu Zhengming's appointment at HKUST was handled in a very low-key manner.

SMIC, which has been struggling recently, was not informed of this news. The exact whereabouts Zhang Rujing obtained was that the professor returned to teach at the University of California, Berkeley.

Therefore, he was quite surprised when he heard this name.

Professor Hu’s scientific research ability is extraordinary. He has pioneered innovations in the field of microelectronics. The “FinFET process” mentioned by Mr. Fang is a vision of future process technology.

Zhang Rujing was a little unbelievable, thinking that Fang always lied to him after drinking.

"Mr. Fang, Professor Hu was invited by you? Really? Impossible!"

"Really, more real than pearls!" Fang Zhuo said firmly, "He is in Luzhou!"

Zhang Rujing still didn't believe it: "Professor Hu must have a non-competition agreement, how could he go to the ice core?"

"He is now teaching at the University of Science and Technology of China and is helping us silently." Fang Zhuo further clarified the news.

Zhang Rujing smiled: "Mr. Fang, being at HKUST and being at Bingxin are two different concepts. You are really good at pulling off tiger skins, and you even said that you should return Professor Hu to TSMC. Why don't you say that you should return Qiu Ciyun to our SMIC?"

"Hey, Mr. Zhang, why am I lying to you about this kind of thing?" Fang Zhuo also smiled, "Professor Hu is at HKUST and has a non-competition agreement, but how did he come to HKUST from the United States? Why did he come to Lu? Zhouzhou? Why not come to Shanghai or Beijing?"

"Because there is an ice core in Luzhou, the ice core can give him room to perform."

"Professor Hu's non-competition agreement expires at the end of this year, and he will join Ice Core by then."

"This is what Professor Hu and I have communicated and confirmed."

Zhang Rujing didn't believe it. There was an ice core in Luzhou. Can the ice core be used?

He questioned: "What room does ice core have for display? I am not saying, Mr. Fang, you may not know much about FinFET technology. That is not something that can be done now, even at TSMC."

FinFET technology is focused on the future and cannot be verified in the industry for a while. This is one of the reasons why Hu Zhengming left TSMC.

Zhang Rujing's words hit the point.

"The FinFET process is to make the gate that controls the flow of current into a fork-shaped 3D structure similar to a shark fin, Professor Hu told me." Fang Zhuo said.

Zhang Rujing couldn't help but laugh. Such a summary was indeed simple and crude, but the thought of such a scene where a great professor and a layman talking about the most advanced technology in the industry was a bit... weird.

He couldn't help but say: "This is to increase the control area of ​​the gate over the channel and enhance the gate control capability, which can effectively suppress the short channel effect and reduce the sub-threshold leakage current. Its sub-threshold..."

Fang Zhuo waved his hand and interrupted: "Mr. Zhang, Mr. Zhang, it's okay, it's okay. No matter how well you speak, can Professor Hu explain it to me in person?"

Zhang Rujing was speechless.

Fang Zhuo continued to answer Mr. Zhang's question: "The space of Bingxin is that I can make the decision and respect the technical staff, not only the salary, but also the stock options."

Zhang Rujing continued to be speechless, which was quite simple and crude.

The wafer fab is said to have both capital and technology, but take SMIC as an example. When it was first established, it was funded by world-renowned investment institutions. How could those people allow shares to be given to technical personnel?

Even the chairman himself doesn't have much shares, let alone others.

But Bing Xin is indeed different...it can only be said that he has money and willfulness.

Zhang Rujing became doubtful, saying that Professor Hu was not convinced because of the share options, which could not be too much.

He pondered and said, "Mr. Fang, you are a good hand in business. I don't dare to believe your words."

Fang Zhuo was anxious: "Hey, why don't you believe this? Not only Professor Hu Zhengming, but also his younger brother Hu Zhengda, do you know Hu Zhengda? He used to be the vice president of marketing at TSMC, but now he has founded a company called Duntai Electronics , where do you guess this company is located?”

Zhang Rujing knew that Hu Zhengda, TSMC's vice president of marketing, heard what Mr. Fang meant, and he guessed incredulously: "It won't be in Luzhou, right?"

Fang Zhuo nodded vigorously: "Mr. Zhang, you're smart. It's in Luzhou! Not far from Bingxin! This company is engaged in IC design. If you don't believe me, go check it out. Hey, there's no need to check it out. I can give it to you on the spot. Hu Zhengda called!"

Zhang Rujing said simply: "You fight."

Fang Zhuo really fights.

He also pressed the voiceover.

So, a district chief, a deputy secretary-general, a president of SMIC, and a vice president of Yike, all listened to the chat between Fang Zhuo and Hu Zhengda.

The phone call was also made, and by the way, I also talked about Morningstar Semiconductor, which Hu Zhengda introduced earlier, which is Changhong’s backup plan for purchasing TV chips. If it cannot shake Philips’ foundry choice, Bingxin may lead the new company once it has production capacity. cooperate.

A phone call lasts twenty minutes.

The food is cold.

Zhang Rujing's heart became warm.

Good guy, this boss not only kidnapped Hu Zhengming, but also kidnapped his younger brother! What kind of skills does this bitch have?

Mr. Fang didn’t lie!

He really treats everyone equally!

The intensity of poaching other companies may be even more ruthless!

"Mr. Fang, how did you get all this? Luzhou is not a hot place." Zhang Rujing rubbed his hands and asked incredulously while thinking about Professor Hu in his mind.

"I like to make friends. Hu Zhengda thought I could get along with him, so he settled the company in Luzhou after a little discussion." Fang Zhuo said lightly.

Zhang Rujing had doubts in his heart, but he also felt that the richest man in the mainland might indeed have extraordinary charisma.

No matter what, he believed in the whereabouts of the great professor Hu Zhengming.

If that's the case, then...that's a huge waste!

Professor Hu's research claims to continue Moore's Law and is heading towards the limit of the manufacturing process. If he wants to implement it in the industry, he will have to discuss 40/45nm at the very least. What can he do in ice cores?

This is a complete waste of talent!

"Mr. Fang, you, you...it's surprising and surprising that you invited Professor Hu, but his FinFET technology is really cutting-edge." Zhang Rujing said thoughtfully.

He felt that Bing Xin and Professor Hu were not compatible at all.

Ice core cannot even handle 130nm, so it is really impossible to give Professor Hu a platform to perform.

Although SMIC is struggling, its talent and technology reserves will definitely be of great benefit to the future.

Zhang Rujing didn't know how Mr. Fang moved Professor Hu. He only thought about the existing reality. There was absolutely no diamond in the ice core.

"I understand, Mr. Zhang, I understand everything, but ice core must focus on the future." Fang Zhuo nodded repeatedly, "Professor Hu has talked with me, he knows, I know, Mr. Zhang, you must also know... …”

"If Professor Hu does not come to Ice Core, he may continue academic research on the FinFET process and then return to TSMC when the process technology is suitable."

Hu Zhengming has previously helped TSMC defeat Intel at the 130nm node. Once TSMC can satisfy his academic research, it will inevitably be the first choice to verify its own research.

Zhang Rujing hesitated for two seconds: "Do you have any agreement with Professor Hu?"

"There is no agreement, but if the ice core is not done well and he loses the hope of turning his research into reality, he will eventually leave. It is impossible for me to tie up a scientist with any agreement." Fang Zhuo said calmly. He said, "If I have to talk about an agreement, it can be regarded as a gentleman's agreement. I will work hard on the ice core. He believes that I can do it. It may take a little longer."

Zhang Rujing was stunned.

He pondered and connected the suddenly revealed information about Professor Hu with the previous request. Mr. Fang's seemingly rash move was still well prepared.

Research on cutting-edge technology, even if Professor Hu really leaves, there will always be something left behind.

Or maybe ice cores will really develop well in the future, and there will be more technologies by then.

Is there room for technological complementation between Ice Core and SMIC in the future?

Zhang Rujing feels that the current development is unrealistic. Bingxin is like a stumbling child, while SMIC is like an athlete with strong steps. Regardless of scale, size, talent and technology, the two are incomparable.

However, the FinFET process is indeed full of the charm of future technology, which no wafer company can ignore.

Zhang Rujing could almost smell the fragrance coming from the academician.

He came back to his senses and looked down, oh, when had the dishes been renovated and served again?

"This piece of mutton is fat and big." Fang Zhuo turned the mutton to Mr. Zhang, "Mr. Zhang, eat, eat."

Zhang Rujing held the mutton in his hands but refused to eat, and said in deep thought: "Mr. Fang, as you know, our situation is quite urgent this year, and now is the time to hire people. The trial production of 90nm is a task that must be concentrated in the first half of the year. "

"Let's see if our 90nm trial production capacity goes smoothly and we can mobilize a group of people to help."

Jiang Shangzhou next to him nodded slightly, feeling that this could well demonstrate the friendly relationship between the two companies.

However, Fang Zhuo is still not satisfied. The current progress of the ice core has been postponed once as planned. It is still unknown when SMIC's trial production will be completed. This is not the result he wants.

"Mr. Zhang, I will help others how others help me."

He said this first, and then said: "Mr. Zhang, I believe you can see the trend of our domestic economic development. Electronic products and home appliances will be areas with increasingly strong demand, which will inevitably drive the growth of our wafers." Yield."

"Electronic products, my own Yike is engaged in this area. Of course, it is only a small field."

"Home appliances, I don't dare to talk about other things. I call the bosses of Changhong and Konka "Brother". When we go to Luzhou, we have a relationship of eating meat and drinking together. You heard it on the phone just now. We are working with Changhong to find TV chips. alternatives."

"Mr. Zhang, we can talk about these. You can have a share of Bingxin or a share of Sinocore."

Fang Zhuoyue became more and more excited as he spoke. He took Zhang Rujing's arm and turned to look at Jiang Shangzhou: "Mr. Zhang, Dr. Jiang, as I said before, 130nm is a treasure in our hands, but regardless of TSMC, Intel, GlobalFoundries, UMC, or Special Semiconductor, , any company has finished 90nm and is heading towards 65nm!”

"Okay, your 130nm is a trade secret, but SMIC is talking about business, I understand!"

"I just don't understand myself. Everyone talks about business. Why don't I talk about business? Why do I bother to make ice cores? Is it because Fang Zhuo can't make money from other projects?"

Zhang Rujing frowned and said nothing, but Mr. Fang took advantage of the wine to start having fun.

Jiang Shangzhou wanted to sigh but didn't.

Fang Zhuo didn't stare at anyone else, but just stared at Jiang Shangzhou, and said: "Secretary-General Jiang, just say something. If you also talk to me about business, then we won't say anything and just pretend that there is no such thing as today's drink." The road is long, so is love!”

Jiang Shangzhou smiled bitterly, this is Mr. Fang, this is the first time he meets Mr. Fang... At this time, instead of calling him doctor, he calls him job title. It seems that alcohol has not taken over the high ground yet.

But having said that, Mr. Fang’s words are not unreasonable.

It may not take long for SMIC to mass-produce the 130nm process. If major manufacturers win 65nm this year, Ice Core may be able to obtain authorization and guidance.

From their own standpoint, domestic semiconductor companies certainly help each other and make progress together.

However, SMIC also has its own difficulties.

It is indeed not easy for Mr. Fang, but is it easy for Mr. Zhang?

The atmosphere in the box was solid.

Jiang Shangzhou thought about it over and over again, and slowly said: "Mr. Zhang, can we carry forward our spirit and squeeze it in? I believe that Mr. Fang's ice cores are not all started from scratch. They must have a foundation. That’s it.”

Zhang Rujing looked troubled.

At this time, Jiang Shangzhou said to Fang Zhuo: "Mr. Fang, I believe you know the difficulties of SMIC. They were also under great pressure in the first half of the year."

"In this way, the Spring Festival is approaching soon. Let's see if SMIC can do some work and cancel the annual leave of some experts. This is the time, and there is not much. Don't have a holiday for your ice core. You can give more bonuses, everyone. Let’s fight the Spring Festival together and see if we can overcome the difficulties.”

"Mr. Zhang, Mr. Fang, what do you think?"

They both thought at the same time.

"Carry forward the spirit and fight for the Spring Festival." Qiu Di happily poured the wine, "The Secretary-General said it well."

Speaking of this, Zhang Rujing nodded and agreed: "Okay, I'll just have seven days off during the Spring Festival. I'll go back and do some work."

Fang Zhuo let go of Zhang Rujing's arm, pushed away the hand of the junior official who was pouring wine, poured wine for Mr. Zhang himself, and said loudly: "Okay, during the nine-day Spring Festival holiday, I, Fang Zhuo, will accept Mr. Zhang's favor! I'll do it first as a token of respect!" "

"Hey, hey, the legal holiday is..." Zhang Rujing didn't listen, but seeing the richest man in the mainland drinking three glasses of wine in a row, he had no choice but to say, "Okay, nine days, nine days, one more day is gone!"

"We want experts and elites. Mr. Zhang, please don't fool me." Fang Zhuo emphasized.

"Don't worry." Zhang Rujing nodded and said, "Mr. Fang, don't forget what you said. I'm waiting for your Professor Hu's technical skills."

Fang Zhuo picked up the wine glass and said eight words: "It's settled, I can't thank you enough."

Then he drank the glass of wine too.

The three of them also had a drink.

Even if this is settled.

There was a gentleman's agreement to poach people, there was a professor's future technology, there was a strong demand for production capacity, and there was a mutual understanding between those who were backward and self-reliant, the matter was finally settled.

Su Wei silently poured a glass of juice and placed it in Mr. Fang's hand.

Fang Zhuo didn't touch the juice and poured the wine again. He was in a happy mood and said in a slower tone: "Mr. Zhang, Dr. Jiang, old leader, I'm happy today. I won't go home until I'm drunk."

"You've had so much fun, I have to think about how to do work when I get back." Zhang Rujing said this and picked up the wine glass, "I wish Bingxin a good Spring Festival."

Fang Zhuo laughed and raised his hand to drink.

Go well, go well, go well!